Questions?

1.26.2010

Jurist reports that Turkey's constitutional court has over-turned a law allowing for civilian prosecution of military personnel in civilian courts. The report describes the law as being a barrier to EU accession, but the real politics are likely domestic: the law was promulgated in part to facilitate investigation of military officials and others who were involved in the alleged plot against the ruling Justice and Development Party. Scholars of the constitutional court have long viewed it as leaning toward the secular statist pole of Turkish politics, as evidenced by its repeated willingness to uphold challenges to ban Islamist political parties. This decision seems quite consistent with that overall approach. We welcome further comment from those more familiar with the local politics!